Eastern green mamba: Difference between revisions
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The '''Eastern green mamba''' (''Dendroaspis angusticeps'') is a medium to large [[arboreal]] |
The '''Eastern green mamba''' (''Dendroaspis angusticeps'') is a medium to large highly venomous and [[arboreal]] snake of the family [[Elapidae]], native to [[Africa]]. |
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==Etymology== |
==Etymology== |
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==Description== |
==Description== |
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The eastern green mamba is |
The eastern green mamba is a fairly large, arboreal snake, with a long narrow coffin-shaped head, a moderate sized eye with a round pupil. Its body is cylindrical, tail long and thin, scales smooth and narrow, in 17-19 rows at midbody. Maximum size is about {{convert|2.5|m|ft}} (reputed to grow even larger), while the average size of adults is between {{convert|1.5|and|2|m|ft}} in length.<ref name=sb95>{{cite book|last=Spawls|last2 =Branch|first=Stephen|first2= Bill|title=Dangerous Snakes of Africa|year=1995|publisher=Blandford Press|location=London, UK|isbn=0713723947|pages=46-47}}</ref> Male eastern green mambas are generally slightly larger than females. Adults are bright emerald green above, sometimes with a few scattered yellow scales. Below they are pale green or yellowish green. Sometimes they may have a dull appearance before sloughing. Juveniles are often a bluish-green colour until they reach a length of {{convert|75|cm|in}}, at which stage they rapidly assume the colours of the adults. The mouth lining is bluish white, and occasionally dark. The species has two enlarged venom fangs fixed to the front of the mouth and solid teeth in both jaws.<ref name=Marais>{{cite book|last=Marais|first=Johan|title=A Complete Guide to the Snakes of Southern Africa|year=2004|publisher=Struik Nature|location=Cape Town, South Africa|isbn=186872932X|pages=98-99}}</ref> The species has two enlarged venom fangs fixed to the front of the mouth and solid teeth in both jaws. Dorsal scales are oblique, smooth and narrow. Dorsal scale count usually 25 - ( 21 or 23 ) - ( 15 to 19 ).<ref name=WCH/> |
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==Distribution== |
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==Geographic range== |
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This species is indigenous to the east coast of [[southern Africa]] and occurs throughout much of [[East Africa|eastern Africa]]. |
This species is indigenous to the east coast of [[southern Africa]] and occurs throughout much of coastal [[East Africa|eastern Africa]]. It is found near the coast stretching from western [[South Africa]] through to [[Mozambique]], [[Tanzania]], [[Swaziland]], and as far as south-east [[Kenya]], going inland as far as southern [[Malawi]] and eastern [[Zimbabwe]].<ref name=WCH/> |
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===Habitat=== |
===Habitat=== |
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This species of mamba inhabits evergreen lowland forest, moist savanna, woodland and thicket, usually at low altitude (up to {{convert|1500|m|ft}} in the hill forests of east Africa). It favours bamboo thickets, tea, citrus, cashew-nut, coconut, and mango plantations. Not usually found in open country or anywhere where a large green snake cannot hide successfully, but will live in evergreen thickets and gallery/riparian forest. It is fond of thickets and farm trees that give plenty of shade, and will rest at heights of {{convert|1|m|ft}} or less in bushes, provided it is concealed. It prefers thicker bush than the black mamba, and where the two are found side by side (along most of the coast of eastern and southern Africa), the black mamba seems to select open areas and the eastern green mamba thicker bush. In coastal east Africa it is quite often known to enter houses and is fond of sheltering in thatched roofs.<ref name=sb95/><ref name=Marais/> |
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Eastern green mamba's are an arboreal species and thus are almost always found in trees. Very rarely are they found on the ground unless driven by prey or for their need to bask under the sun. They are not usually found in open terrain.<ref name=WCH/> Thickly forested and bush-covered areas such as evergreen forests, mainly make for this species' habitat. They can also be found in regions like coastal scrub, woodland, moist savanna, bamboo and mango plantations. The species can even be found in dense montane forest up to about {{convert|1700|m|ft}} above sea level. They're often found in thickets and farm trees (citrus, cashew nut, coconut and mango) which offer plenty of shade. In coastal [[east Africa]] it is known to enter houses and often shelters in thatched roof dwellings.<ref name=WCH/> They may even be found in tropical or sub-tropical regions within their range.<ref name="ErZug"/><ref name=WZOO/><ref name=BUZZ/> |
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==Behaviour and Diet== |
==Behaviour and Diet== |
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This species is highly arboreal and seldom ventures to the ground unless following [[prey]] or to bask under the sun. Unlike its much larger cousin the [[ |
This species is highly arboreal and seldom ventures to the ground unless following [[prey]] or to bask under the sun. Quick moving and alert, and an excellent climber, when encountered or threatened it tries to move away.<ref name=sb95/> Unlike its much larger cousin the [[black mamba]], this mamba is very shy and generally not too aggressive. It will avoid confrontation with humans or other potential predators when possible. They are fast snakes, capable of moving 7 mph. They don't always strike, but under continuous harassment and provocation and especially if cornered, they may suddenly become aggressive and strike repeatedly in quick succession.<ref name="OSHEA">{{cite book |last= O'Shea|first= Mark|title= Venomous Snakes of the World |date= 12 September |year=2005 |publisher= Princeton University Press |location= New Jersey, USA|isbn= 0691124361}}</ref> |
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They are a [[Diurnal animal|diurnal]] species that hunt during the day. The diet of the Eastern green mamba consists primarily of adult and juvenile [[bird]]s, bird [[egg (biology)|egg]]s, frogs, lizards, rodents, and other small [[mammal]]s. They will hunt on the ground if suitable prey cannot be found in the trees. Young specimens will occasionally eat other reptiles, such as [[chameleon]]s.<ref name="OSHEA"/> |
They are a [[Diurnal animal|diurnal]] and secretive species that hunt during the day. The diet of the Eastern green mamba consists primarily of adult and juvenile [[bird]]s, bird [[egg (biology)|egg]]s, frogs, lizards, rodents, and other small [[mammal]]s. They will hunt on the ground if suitable prey cannot be found in the trees. Young specimens will occasionally eat other reptiles, such as [[chameleon]]s.<ref name=sb95/><ref name="OSHEA"/> |
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==Reproduction== |
==Reproduction== |
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The eastern green mamba is solitary, except during mating. Males find females by following a scent trail. Male eastern green mambas will compete with other males with a ritual dance or wrestling contest on the ground, in which one male tries to force the other down. These combats may last for several hours. Combat does not include biting. Courtship and mating take place in the trees, after which the female lays between 6-17 eggs (average of 10-15 eggs are usually laid).<ref name="OSHEA"/> The eggs are usually laid in a hollow tree among decaying vegetation. After a little over three months, the young mambas hatch and are between 35 and 45 cm (13 to 18 inches) in length and are venomous from birth. This species can live up to 15–25 years, and 14 years if kept in captivity. |
The eastern green mamba is solitary, except during mating. Males find females by following a scent trail. Male eastern green mambas will compete with other males with a ritual dance or wrestling contest on the ground, in which one male tries to force the other down. These combats may last for several hours. Combat does not include biting. Courtship and mating take place in the trees, after which the female lays between 6-17 eggs (average of 10-15 eggs are usually laid).<ref name="OSHEA"/> The eggs are usually laid in a hollow tree among decaying vegetation. After a little over three months, the young mambas hatch and are between 35 and 45 cm (13 to 18 inches) in length and are venomous from birth. This species can live up to 15–25 years, and 14 years if kept in captivity. |
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==Venom== |
==Venom== |
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The eastern green mamba is a very [[venomous]] snake. The venom consists mainly of [[neurotoxin]]s, [[cardiotoxin]]s, [[calcicludine]], and fasciculins. The average venom yield per bite is 80 mg according to Engelmann and Obst (1981)<ref name=Engelmann>{{cite book|last=Engelmann|first=Wolf-Eberhard|title=Snakes: Biology, Behavior, and Relationship to Man|year=1981|publisher=Leipzig Publishing; English version published by Exeter Books (1982)|location=Leipzig; English version NY, USA|isbn=0-89673-110-3|pages=51}}</ref>, while Minton (1974) gives it a range of 60–95 mg (dry weight).<ref name=WCH>{{cite web|title=Dendroaspis angusticeps - General Details, Taxonomy and Biology, Venom, Clinical Effects, Treatment, First Aid, Antivenoms|url=http://www.toxinology.com/fusebox.cfm?fuseaction=main.snakes.display&id=SN0168|work=WCH Clinical Toxinology Resource|publisher=University of Adelaide|accessdate=21 December 2011}}</ref> The [[subcutaneous injection|subcutaneous]] {{LD50}} |
The eastern green mamba is a very [[venomous]] snake. The venom consists mainly of [[neurotoxin]]s, [[cardiotoxin]]s, [[calcicludine]], and fasciculins. The average venom yield per bite is 80 mg according to Engelmann and Obst (1981)<ref name=Engelmann>{{cite book|last=Engelmann|first=Wolf-Eberhard|title=Snakes: Biology, Behavior, and Relationship to Man|year=1981|publisher=Leipzig Publishing; English version published by Exeter Books (1982)|location=Leipzig; English version NY, USA|isbn=0-89673-110-3|pages=51}}</ref>, while Minton (1974) gives it a range of 60–95 mg (dry weight).<ref name=WCH>{{cite web|title=Dendroaspis angusticeps - General Details, Taxonomy and Biology, Venom, Clinical Effects, Treatment, First Aid, Antivenoms|url=http://www.toxinology.com/fusebox.cfm?fuseaction=main.snakes.display&id=SN0168|work=WCH Clinical Toxinology Resource|publisher=University of Adelaide|accessdate=21 December 2011}}</ref> The [[subcutaneous injection|subcutaneous]] {{LD50}} is listed as 3.05 mg/kg,<ref name=VenomDoc>{{cite web|last=Fry|first=Bryan Grieg|title=LD50 Menu|url=http://www.venomdoc.com/LD50/LD50men.html|work=Australian Venom Research Unit|publisher=University of Queensland|accessdate=21 December 2011}}</ref> while the [[Intravenous therapy|IV]] {{LD50}} is 1.3 mg/kg.<ref name=sb95/> Like all other mamba species, the toxicity of individual specimens within the same species and subspecies can vary greatly based on several factors including geographical region. Local swelling is variable and sometimes absent after mamba bites. However, patients bitten by the eastern green mamba develop swelling of the entire bitten limb and also show mild [[Antihemorrhagic|haemostatic]] disturbances (Warrell DA; MacKay et al. 1966). The rare cases of local tissue damage usually resulted from bites on the fingers or the use of a tight tourniquet.<ref name=GUIDE>{{cite web|title=WHO - Guidelines for the Prevention and Clinical Management of Snakebite in Africa|url=http://www.afro.who.int/index.php?option=com_docman&task=doc_download&gid=5529|work=WHO Regional Office for Africa|publisher=World Health Organization|accessdate=21 December 2011}}</ref> This species has caused fatalities among bitten humans. The mortality rate of untreated bites is unknown but is thought to be very high.<ref name=WCH/> |
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==Gallery== |
==Gallery== |
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Revision as of 19:02, 25 February 2012
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| Species: | D. angusticeps
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The Eastern green mamba (Dendroaspis angusticeps) is a medium to large highly venomous and arboreal snake of the family Elapidae, native to Africa.
Etymology
The Eastern green mamba (Dendroaspis angusticeps) was first described by Scottish zoologist Andrew Smith in 1849. The snake's scientific name is Dendroaspis angusticeps: Dendroaspis meaning "tree asp" (dendro is "tree", while aspis is "asp" which is understood to mean a "venomous snake") and angusticeps which derives from Latin angustus, -a, -um which means "narrow" and the abbreviated term -ceps for caput which means "head".[1]
Description
The eastern green mamba is a fairly large, arboreal snake, with a long narrow coffin-shaped head, a moderate sized eye with a round pupil. Its body is cylindrical, tail long and thin, scales smooth and narrow, in 17-19 rows at midbody. Maximum size is about 2.5 metres (8.2 ft) (reputed to grow even larger), while the average size of adults is between 1.5 and 2 metres (4.9 and 6.6 ft) in length.[2] Male eastern green mambas are generally slightly larger than females. Adults are bright emerald green above, sometimes with a few scattered yellow scales. Below they are pale green or yellowish green. Sometimes they may have a dull appearance before sloughing. Juveniles are often a bluish-green colour until they reach a length of 75 centimetres (30 in), at which stage they rapidly assume the colours of the adults. The mouth lining is bluish white, and occasionally dark. The species has two enlarged venom fangs fixed to the front of the mouth and solid teeth in both jaws.[3] The species has two enlarged venom fangs fixed to the front of the mouth and solid teeth in both jaws. Dorsal scales are oblique, smooth and narrow. Dorsal scale count usually 25 - ( 21 or 23 ) - ( 15 to 19 ).[4]
Distribution
This species is indigenous to the east coast of southern Africa and occurs throughout much of coastal eastern Africa. It is found near the coast stretching from western South Africa through to Mozambique, Tanzania, Swaziland, and as far as south-east Kenya, going inland as far as southern Malawi and eastern Zimbabwe.[4]
Habitat
This species of mamba inhabits evergreen lowland forest, moist savanna, woodland and thicket, usually at low altitude (up to 1,500 metres (4,900 ft) in the hill forests of east Africa). It favours bamboo thickets, tea, citrus, cashew-nut, coconut, and mango plantations. Not usually found in open country or anywhere where a large green snake cannot hide successfully, but will live in evergreen thickets and gallery/riparian forest. It is fond of thickets and farm trees that give plenty of shade, and will rest at heights of 1 metre (3.3 ft) or less in bushes, provided it is concealed. It prefers thicker bush than the black mamba, and where the two are found side by side (along most of the coast of eastern and southern Africa), the black mamba seems to select open areas and the eastern green mamba thicker bush. In coastal east Africa it is quite often known to enter houses and is fond of sheltering in thatched roofs.[2][3]
Behaviour and Diet
This species is highly arboreal and seldom ventures to the ground unless following prey or to bask under the sun. Quick moving and alert, and an excellent climber, when encountered or threatened it tries to move away.[2] Unlike its much larger cousin the black mamba, this mamba is very shy and generally not too aggressive. It will avoid confrontation with humans or other potential predators when possible. They are fast snakes, capable of moving 7 mph. They don't always strike, but under continuous harassment and provocation and especially if cornered, they may suddenly become aggressive and strike repeatedly in quick succession.[5]
They are a diurnal and secretive species that hunt during the day. The diet of the Eastern green mamba consists primarily of adult and juvenile birds, bird eggs, frogs, lizards, rodents, and other small mammals. They will hunt on the ground if suitable prey cannot be found in the trees. Young specimens will occasionally eat other reptiles, such as chameleons.[2][5]
Reproduction
The eastern green mamba is solitary, except during mating. Males find females by following a scent trail. Male eastern green mambas will compete with other males with a ritual dance or wrestling contest on the ground, in which one male tries to force the other down. These combats may last for several hours. Combat does not include biting. Courtship and mating take place in the trees, after which the female lays between 6-17 eggs (average of 10-15 eggs are usually laid).[5] The eggs are usually laid in a hollow tree among decaying vegetation. After a little over three months, the young mambas hatch and are between 35 and 45 cm (13 to 18 inches) in length and are venomous from birth. This species can live up to 15–25 years, and 14 years if kept in captivity.
Venom
The eastern green mamba is a very venomous snake. The venom consists mainly of neurotoxins, cardiotoxins, calcicludine, and fasciculins. The average venom yield per bite is 80 mg according to Engelmann and Obst (1981)[6], while Minton (1974) gives it a range of 60–95 mg (dry weight).[4] The subcutaneous LD50 is listed as 3.05 mg/kg,[7] while the IV LD50 is 1.3 mg/kg.[2] Like all other mamba species, the toxicity of individual specimens within the same species and subspecies can vary greatly based on several factors including geographical region. Local swelling is variable and sometimes absent after mamba bites. However, patients bitten by the eastern green mamba develop swelling of the entire bitten limb and also show mild haemostatic disturbances (Warrell DA; MacKay et al. 1966). The rare cases of local tissue damage usually resulted from bites on the fingers or the use of a tight tourniquet.[8] This species has caused fatalities among bitten humans. The mortality rate of untreated bites is unknown but is thought to be very high.[4]
Gallery
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Eastern green mamba climbing a branch. -
Eastern green mamba at Wilmington's Serpentarium. -
Eastern green mamba at the Reptilienzoo Nockalm in Carinthia, Austria
References
- ^ a b "Dendroaspis angusticeps (SMITH, 1849)". The Reptile Database. Retrieved 17 February 2012.
- ^ a b c d e Spawls, Stephen; Branch, Bill (1995). Dangerous Snakes of Africa. London, UK: Blandford Press. pp. 46–47. ISBN 0713723947.
- ^ a b Marais, Johan (2004). A Complete Guide to the Snakes of Southern Africa. Cape Town, South Africa: Struik Nature. pp. 98–99. ISBN 186872932X.
- ^ a b c d "Dendroaspis angusticeps - General Details, Taxonomy and Biology, Venom, Clinical Effects, Treatment, First Aid, Antivenoms". WCH Clinical Toxinology Resource. University of Adelaide. Retrieved 21 December 2011.
- ^ a b c O'Shea, Mark (12 September). Venomous Snakes of the World. New Jersey, USA: Princeton University Press. ISBN 0691124361.
{{cite book}}: Check date values in:|date=and|year=/|date=mismatch (help) - ^ Engelmann, Wolf-Eberhard (1981). Snakes: Biology, Behavior, and Relationship to Man. Leipzig; English version NY, USA: Leipzig Publishing; English version published by Exeter Books (1982). p. 51. ISBN 0-89673-110-3.
- ^ Fry, Bryan Grieg. "LD50 Menu". Australian Venom Research Unit. University of Queensland. Retrieved 21 December 2011.
- ^ "WHO - Guidelines for the Prevention and Clinical Management of Snakebite in Africa". WHO Regional Office for Africa. World Health Organization. Retrieved 21 December 2011.
- Smith, A. 1849. Illustrations of the zoology of South Africa. Reptilia. Smith, Elder & Co. London.